Valentine's Day Facts

The Valentine's Day is actually named Saint Valentine's Day in honor of one or more early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine.

The day is observed by lovers express their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards.

In reality, there were actually 3 St. Valentine’s. One was a priest, one a bishop and one little is known about except he was a martyr. The stories of the priest’s and bishop’s martyrdom are so closely related it is difficult to tell which St. Valentine the Holiday is named after.

The ancient Romans celebrated the Feast of Lupercalia on February 14th in honor of Juno, the queen of the Roman gods and goddesses. Juno was also the goddess of women and marriage.

Girls of medieval times ate bizarre foods on St. Valentine's Day to make them dream of their future spouse.

In 1537, England's King Henry VII officially declared February 14th the holiday of St. Valentine's Day.

Apart from the Mother's Day, the V'Day is the biggest occasions on which flowers are given.

The phrase "Sweets for the sweet" is a line from Shakespeare's Hamlet, Act 5, Scene 1.

The first Valentine’s Day card was sent by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London. He remained a prisoner of war for the next twenty-four years.

In Finland Valentine's Day is called Ystävänpäivä which translates into "Friend's day".

In Korea, if you do not receive any gift on Valentine's day then all the singles go to Korean restaurants and eat black noodles to mourn their single status.

In Japan, women are expected to give chocolate and other gifts to men on Valentine's Day.

Every year around 1 billion Valentine cards are sent across. After Christmas it's a single largest seasonal card-sending occasion.

Of the 73% of people who buy Valentine's Day flowers are men, while only 27 percent are women.

Cupid is a symbol of Valentine's Day.

Men spend almost twice as much on Valentine’s Day as women do.

Teachers receive the most valentines, followed by kids, mothers, wives and sweethearts.

Over 50 percent of all Valentine's Day cards are purchased in the six days prior to the holiday.

Hallmark produced its first valentine in 1913.

40% of people have negative feelings towards Valentine’s Day.

64 percent of American men do not make Valentine’s Day plans in advance.